CONTACT:
Tammy R. White
(239) 278-7525
FT. MYERS–-The captain of the Southwest Florida region of the Office of State Fire Marshal's Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations is retiring after 50 years of law enforcement service.
Captain Shirley L. Garrison served the Bureau for 19 years, the last nine years as captain of the regional office. The first half of his career was in service to the citizens of Livonia, Michigan, with the Livonia Police Department. He also served 34 years in the Michigan Air Guard, retiring as a Master Sergeant.
Garrison began his career with the State Fire Marshal's Office as a detective and moved up through the ranks to Captain. A second-generation law enforcement officer, Garrison's father served 25 years with the Detroit Police Department and his three sons are deputy sheriffs with the Lee County Sheriff's Office.
"Like so many of our law enforcement professionals, public service and a commitment to his fellow man are in Captain Garrison's blood," said State Fire Marshal Tom Gallagher. "We are grateful to Captain Garrison for giving so many years of outstanding service to the Bureau and the citizens of Florida. He's been an invaluable member of our team and he will be missed."
Garrison will be honored for his lengthy service at a retirement celebration today at 2 p.m. The celebration will be held at the FDLE Training Center located at 4700 Terminal Drive, Suite 6, in Ft. Myers. During the program, Garrison will be promoted to the rank of Law Enforcement Major and will be presented with a resolution honoring his service and signed by Governor Bush, Gallagher and other members of the Florida Cabinet.
The Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations is the law enforcement branch of the Division of State Fire Marshal that assists other state and local fire and law enforcement agencies in the investigation of fires of suspicious origin.
